2026 SC House District 31 Election
*CANDIDATES' VIEWS IN THE Q&AS LINKED BELOW DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF ONESPARTANBURG, INC. CANDIDATE RESPONSES ARE THE CANDIDATES' OWN WORDS, HAVING COME FROM EMAILED RESPONSES.*
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
ROSALYN HENDERSON-MYERS (i)
I am deeply honored to represent our incredible community and am committed to working tirelessly to ensure its growth and development. Together, we can achieve remarkable progress by focusing on quality education, affordable healthcare, and housing for all. Let's create more job opportunities, support our local businesses, and strengthen our economy. Your voices matter, and I am here to listen and act on your concerns. With your continued support and collaboration, we can build a brighter future for our community.
Poverty and Economic Mobility This is perhaps the single most urgent issue in the district. Approximately 14% of Spartanburg County residents live below the poverty line, but an estimated 32% are ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — meaning they are working, sometimes multiple jobs, but still cannot meet basic needs. SCDMV Most residents work in education, healthcare, or manufacturing, with Spartanburg's school districts and hospital system as the county's largest employers. Education and Workforce Development Most adult residents either have a high school diploma or have attended college but did not complete a degree. The number of teachers is declining, especially in smaller school districts. Programs like ReDegree — a OneSpartanburg initiative — have been launched to help adults return to school if they have some college education. SCDMV Movement 2030, a sweeping community plan backed by national philanthropic support, aims to have 1,500 additional individuals earn degrees or certifications by 2030 and ensure 550 more children countywide are school-ready each year.
A progressive tax system remains the fairest instrument for the collection of revenue to support State obligations, priorities and programs. Tax reform must not come at the expense of infrastructure, education, childcare and other programs that directly impact the quality of life for South Carolinians. Sales taxes are demonstratively regressive and disproportionately increase the burden on poor and working families and should not be the primary source of state revenue.
Childcare across South Carolina is often unaffordable and inaccessible, damaging our state’s economy and outcomes for our children. Data shows that a lack of childcare options prohibits some people from participating in the workforce. In South Carolina, the state’s prime-age labor force participation rate of 81.1% falls 2.5% points below the national average. As a state representative, what are some solutions you have for this crisis?
I propose that South Carolina fully fund the SC Child Care Scholarship program. Research shows that childcare subsidies permit more parents (especially women) to work, increase the availability of childcare providers, increase wages and retirement savings for parents who are able to stay in the workforce, increase productivity for employers due to parents not missing work to handle gaps in childcare or to care for a sick child, increase wages for childcare workers, increase childcare workforce quality and stability, and reduce unregulated and substandard childcare. These benefits would improve the state’s economy, decrease poverty in the state, and lead to increases in state income tax revenues.
What are the greatest challenges facing your District and what will you do as the Representative to address them?
Infrastructure and Growth Management Residents across Spartanburg County have raised concerns about poor road conditions, particularly in areas where new housing developments are being approved without adequate infrastructure planning. County council has discussed the possibility of a development moratorium and stricter regulations for future projects. Public Health Public health disparities are significant in District 31, which covers a predominantly Black urban community. Access to healthcare for uninsured and underinsured residents, mental health services, maternal and infant health, and addressing chronic disease are ongoing concerns. This is directly relevant to Rep. Henderson-Myers' academic background — her Ph.D. focused on public health policy — and her lactation legislation, which addressed a real healthcare access gap for working mothers.
Do you believe the state should pass legislation related to AI infrastructure? If so, what would ideal legislation look like?
This is an emerging but rapidly growing concern. Rep. Henderson-Myers' seat on the Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Committee places her directly in the middle of how the state regulates new technology — including data centers, which residents have raised concerns about regarding noise, water and power usage, health-related effects, and the limited number of jobs these facilities typically provide.
Please identify any other issues or concerns that influenced your decision to run for this office.
Housing instability is a major and growing crisis. Affordable housing for working families, single women, and mothers is in critically short supply, with waiting lists for most public housing programs.
UNITED CITIZENS PARTY CANDIDATE
JAMES JONES
Website: www.Jamesforyousc31.org
The Office You're Seeking: South Carolina House District 31
Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and why you are running for the SC House.
I’m James A. Jones Sr. - a proud Spartanburg native, attorney, and former federal prosecutor with nearly three decades of experience serving our country and our community. Throughout my career, including my time as Deputy Chief Counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, I’ve worked on complex legal matters, represented the federal government in over 1,000 immigration hearings annually, and fought to uphold fairness, accountability, and justice. But my work has never just been about the courtroom; it’s about people. Spartanburg raised me, and I’ve always believed in giving back. Whether it was helping coordinate food distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic or working alongside local organizations to expand access and opportunity, I’ve stayed committed to serving the community that shaped me. That’s why I’m running for the South Carolina House of Representatives, District 31. I’ve launched my S.O.S. platform - Stimulating Opportunity for Spartanburg - because I hear the needs of our community, and I’m ready to act.
What is the role of state government, if any, in economic development and corporate recruitment? How can the State help raise per-capita income in Spartanburg and across the state?
The state can push policies that tie good safe jobs and contracting opportunities with state funding and services to businesses. One example is FILOT reform. The state can mandate local contracting, jobs, and job training to run with any county, state, local FILOTs for large corporations. In the event a given number of jobs or contracts are not given per agreement, the companies in receipt of the state, local, funding can contribute workforce and other funds charged with expanding high paying jobs and local contracting opportunities.
Comprehensive Tax Reform remains a high priority in the SC General Assembly. Income, property, and sales tax are all being discussed for reform. As a State Representative what would be your approach to good tax policy for the State?
I believe in fair progressive taxes where those who benefit most must pay their fair share. Sales taxes that his low and marginal working families harder than corporate giants who benefit most are unfair and regressive. South Carolina must put worker and family priorities above out-of-control profits of large corporations.
Childcare across South Carolina is often unaffordable and inaccessible, damaging our state’s economy and outcomes for our children. Data shows that a lack of childcare options prohibits some people from participating in the workforce. In South Carolina, the state’s prime-age labor force participation rate of 81.1% falls 2.5% points below the national average. As a state representative, what are some solutions you have for this crisis?
I will support policies that offer true affordable and varied child care options, including incentivizing extended care daycare centers already in use.
What are the greatest challenges facing your District and what will you do as the Representative to address them?
Economic opportunity is the greatest issue facing SC District 31. Too few people have living wages. Too few people are afforded worker rights. Too few local businesses are tapped for state, city, county, and school contracting opportunities.
Please identify any other issues or concerns that influenced your decision to run for this office.
South Caroling District 31 needs a real advocate that will fight for economic stimulation for all of Spartanburg, improved education for our students and adults needing continued educational resources, and grow businesses with a solid respect for our environment, including safe water and clean air.